URGENT UPDATE: Four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested in connection with the deadly mosque bombing that killed 31 and injured 169 during Friday prayers in Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the arrests, stating that an Afghan national is believed to have orchestrated the attack.
The bombing occurred at a Shiite mosque in the Tarlai area on February 3, 2023, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest filled with worshipers. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this catastrophic incident. Naqvi reported that the suspects engaged in violence during their arrests, killing a counterterrorism officer and wounding three others.
This attack marks the deadliest in Islamabad in over a decade, prompting widespread mourning across the city as large crowds gathered for funerals on Saturday. The situation remains tense, with many questioning the implications of the attack on national security.
Naqvi has suggested that India may have funded those responsible for the bombing, a claim that India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has labeled as “baseless.” Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif further stated that the Afghan government could have had a role in facilitating the attack. Afghan officials have refuted these claims, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence and calling the accusations “regrettable.”
This bombing follows a series of violent incidents in Pakistan, including a November attack in Islamabad that killed 12 and injured 27. In recent days, a string of attacks in Balochistan resulted in 58 deaths, with the Balochistan Liberation Army claiming responsibility for those assaults. In retaliation, Pakistani forces reportedly killed an estimated 200 BLA militants in a series of operations.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as investigations continue into the motives and connections of the arrested suspects. The implications of this attack resonate deeply, raising concerns about ongoing security challenges in the region and the potential for further violence.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities work to ensure safety and justice in the wake of this tragic event.
